Defective vehicle lights .

[pilotlight]

I have noticed, particularly when motorway driving early mornings, that the number of defective vehicle lights seems to be increasing at an alarming rate. i.e. only one rear light, only one front light, one headlight aligned as if on full beam etc.

Has anyone else noticed this ?

[gary baldy]

The bloke in my local car spares shop has a theory.
He reckons its speed bumps. I think he has something.
I rarely changed my bulbs but since they put some bumps on a road i use regularly i get through loads.
If you think about it going over a speed bump (especially too quick) is stretching the design strength of many cars - especially on sensitive things like bulbs.

[Electrochem]

I agree and theyseem to drive around for weeks before they decide to do something. It is not difficult to see if your headlights are faulty.when you pull up behind another vehicle or on a dark road.

Where I work there is a glass door and I always look in my rear view mirror to check my rear lights.

I have seen several cars with one headlight totally out. Extremely dangerous. I carry spare bulbs and if I notice one out I change it as soon as possible.

Faulty brake lights are the worst. i have seen cars going down the outside lane of the motorway at 80mph with the brake lights stuck ON!

[gary baldy]

My car helpfully tells me when a bulb has gone (but thats the Swedes for you).
I now carry spare bulbs all the time cos they go so often. Its just lazy (and dangerous) - its not like they are expensive is it?
For non swedish built cars its a bit tricky to know your brake lights are out though - until a copper tells you!

[Grunty]

The police often use defective lights as a starter, because it upsets motorists if they are told 'just a routine check'. There have been many cases of the check being followed up by a breath test. It is therefore possible for some people to be banned for a year for having a bulb out.

My experience was not the same as Gary's. I was working 16 hours a day and had no time to fix a headlamp for a day or two. My neighbours were kindly telling me about it. On the way to the garage, I went over a few bumps, they found nothing wrong and it has been OK ever since.

[tom hopkins]

the police also use as a first excuse fog lights (under the bumper lights) as it is illegal to use them anytime but when it is foggy(i believe there is a max �400 fine & possible 3 points)?

[lady_p_gold]

That is so spooky ! I was actually going to come on here and post the same question. Driving home tonight I spotted no less than six cars in a short space of time with only one headlight working, I think it is very dangerous as it is distracting as you wonder if it is a motorbike or what .....

[furrycheeky]

I work in a garage and I can tell you the majority of people do nothing to cars between services. Many times I have replaced bulbs, and when you give the customer a run down of the work they say "oo yes that blew months ago". Even more worrying is several times last year I had cars booked in for inoperative screen washers, and it was an empty water bottle! And these people drive on the same road as us!!

[bigdaddycain]

could the increase in the amount of innoperative lamps be down to the cold temperatures at this time of year? The last couple of times ive pointed out to people (neighbours, relatives) they replied with something like "its too cold to be messing with them things" then ive done it for them!